While traveling east on M-57 before sunset Friday evening, I noticed a grain car tipped over just west of Pompellon the GLC spur heading out west from Ashley, Michigan.

A team was on site transferring the spilled grain car lading into a truck when these photos were captured.Perhaps someone else may know more about what happened here. Fresh ties were already dumped near the site to reconstruct the trackage. No other info other than photos.

This is the first I heard of the accident. Wonder what happened? I know they've been working on this segment to build it up.

PatC created a monster, 'cause nobody wants to see Don Simon no more they want AARR I'm chopped liver, well if you want AARR this is what I'll give ya, bad humor mixed with irrelevant info that'll make you roll your eyes quicker than a ~Z~ banhammer...

AARR wrote:This is the first I heard of the accident. Wonder what happened? I know they've been working on this segment to build it up.

Look at the first picture. It appeared the rail snapped. This could be the case since most, if not all of the Middleton Branch has rail lighter than 100 lbs.

I suspect harmonic rock, as the 2nd picture shows disturbed ties under the nearer, upright car, which also derailed. But who knows? It could have been a split bear or wheel, broken joint-bar, wide gauge, or overspeed....I'm sure the investigation will determine the cause.....then they'll find a way to blame the crew.

Most of that rail is so old I'm surprised this doesn't happen more often.

1223 OUT! President and Founder of the Buck Creek Central, the Rolling River Route! (2012-2017) President and Founder of the Lamberton Valley Railroad, The Tin Plate Road! Proudly railfanning with Asperger's since 1996.

About 4-5 years ago Chris Bagwell, GLC's President, gave a very nice presentation at the AARRT&HA annual meeting. He said GLC is committed to improving the Middleton Branch's track but it will have to be done within the confines of the revenue the branch generates which at the time was about half a million annually.

PatC created a monster, 'cause nobody wants to see Don Simon no more they want AARR I'm chopped liver, well if you want AARR this is what I'll give ya, bad humor mixed with irrelevant info that'll make you roll your eyes quicker than a ~Z~ banhammer...